The first trial concerning the alleged bribing of the two
former judges is expected to be heard by Judge Giannino Caruana Demajo in March 2007. Judge
Dr. Patrick Vella is expected to stand the trial in March 2007, while Former
Chief Justice Dr. Noel Arrigo's trial is expected to be heard shortly thereafter.
The judges are accused of receiving money to reduce a prison
sentence handed down to Mario Camilleri, known also as l-Imnieħru.
Mario Camilleri, along with his son Pierre and two other
men, Joseph Zammit u Anthony Grech Sant were in 2002 accused of corrupting the
two former judges by paying them Lm 5,000 so that l-Imnieħru’s prison sentence
would be reduced. Mario Camilleri is a convicted drug trafficker who had his
jail sentence reduced by four years by an Appeals court on which former Chief
Justice Noel Arrigo and former Judge Patrick Vella sat.
The allegations against the Chief Justice and Judge came to
light on the 1st of August 2002. A motion for them to be removed
from their respective posts was presented on the 5th August 2002,
followed by their resignation shortly afterwards. Chief Justice Vincent De
Gaetano succeeded Noel Arrigo on the 26th August 2002.
In 2005,
then
61-year-old Joe Zammit known as is-Sei appeared in court in relation to the
case. Taking the witness stand the man, from
Valletta, said the Judge and Chief Justice were
allegedly offered Lm 10,000 worth of drinks each in order to deduct the prison
sentence of Mario Camilleri.
Read more about the case in MaltaMedia's special feature: Judges on Trial.
See also:
Ex-judges offered Lm 10,000 worth of drinks in bribe -
Feb 3, 2006, 17:56 CET
